The Skeptic Zone
The Podcast from Australia for Science and Reason. Join Richard Saunders and the crew for interviews and reports from around the world.
Episodes
May 15, 2021 • 58 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Maynard's Spooky Action
An interview with Dr Sathana Dushyanthen. Cancer research and COVID-19 myths.
Dr Sathana Dushyanthen is a Science Communicator and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. As part of her Sci Comm work, she has a YouTube channel through which she covers popular science topics and current research. Most recently,...
Richard Saunders 0:02:58 Maynard's Spooky Action
An interview with Dr Sathana Dushyanthen. Cancer research and COVID-19 myths.
Dr Sathana Dushyanthen is a Science Communicator and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. As part of her Sci Comm work, she has a YouTube channel through which she covers popular science topics and current research. Most recently,...
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May 8, 2021 • 55 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Letter to the Editor
A follow up to a story we mentioned a few weeks ago where a letter to the editor was published in the Byron Bay Echo newspaper. This week we feature the response from skeptic Ken McLeod. Just who is this mysterious midwife who is complaining about COVID-19 vaccinations? 0:10:20 Crazy COVID-19 Claim
You will not believe the crazy claim the Australian government h...
Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Letter to the Editor
A follow up to a story we mentioned a few weeks ago where a letter to the editor was published in the Byron Bay Echo newspaper. This week we feature the response from skeptic Ken McLeod. Just who is this mysterious midwife who is complaining about COVID-19 vaccinations? 0:10:20 Crazy COVID-19 Claim
You will not believe the crazy claim the Australian government h...
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May 1, 2021 • 45 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Adrienne Hill 0:02:00 Crazy COVID-19 Flyers
Dispite the roll out of varoius COVID-19 vaccines around the world and despite the terrible situation in countries like India and Brazil, there are still those in our society who are intent on fear moungering. We read out some typical COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy flyers that were placed on cars in an Australian Hospital car park. 0:13:21 You Can Count On Adrienne. W...
Adrienne Hill 0:02:00 Crazy COVID-19 Flyers
Dispite the roll out of varoius COVID-19 vaccines around the world and despite the terrible situation in countries like India and Brazil, there are still those in our society who are intent on fear moungering. We read out some typical COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy flyers that were placed on cars in an Australian Hospital car park. 0:13:21 You Can Count On Adrienne. W...
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April 25, 2021 • 68 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:02 The Alien Space Ship... that wasn't.
We chat to author and podcaster Mick West about his work in uncovering a far more realistic explanation of a UFO seen over the ocean and captured on night vision video from a US navel ship. It turns out that the aliens might well be riding in normal airliners, heading into LA airport.
https://www.metabunk.org/threads/pyramid-ufos-in-night-vis...
Richard Saunders 0:03:02 The Alien Space Ship... that wasn't.
We chat to author and podcaster Mick West about his work in uncovering a far more realistic explanation of a UFO seen over the ocean and captured on night vision video from a US navel ship. It turns out that the aliens might well be riding in normal airliners, heading into LA airport.
https://www.metabunk.org/threads/pyramid-ufos-in-night-vis...
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April 17, 2021 • 55 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:13 King St. Newtown
Join Richard Saunders has he walks the length of Newtown's (an inner west suburb of Sydney) main street, stopping along the way to investigate no end of New Age and health stores.
https://www.google.com/maps/@-33.898499,151.1854725,16.1z 0:24:03 Fake Medicine - Book Launch
We travel to Geebooks in Glebe, Sydney to attend the launch of the new book by Dr Bra...
Richard Saunders 0:04:13 King St. Newtown
Join Richard Saunders has he walks the length of Newtown's (an inner west suburb of Sydney) main street, stopping along the way to investigate no end of New Age and health stores.
https://www.google.com/maps/@-33.898499,151.1854725,16.1z 0:24:03 Fake Medicine - Book Launch
We travel to Geebooks in Glebe, Sydney to attend the launch of the new book by Dr Bra...
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April 10, 2021 • 62 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:55 Maynard's Spooky Action
UFOs wirh Dr Steve Roberts and Brian Dunning
With the 55th anniversary of Australia's famous UFOs story, 'Westall 1966', Maynard chats to Brian Dunning and Dr Steve Roberts about this strange event. They also look at other famous UFO accounts including the case of the pancake cooking aliens.
https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208
https://podcast...
Richard Saunders 0:03:55 Maynard's Spooky Action
UFOs wirh Dr Steve Roberts and Brian Dunning
With the 55th anniversary of Australia's famous UFOs story, 'Westall 1966', Maynard chats to Brian Dunning and Dr Steve Roberts about this strange event. They also look at other famous UFO accounts including the case of the pancake cooking aliens.
https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4208
https://podcast...
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April 3, 2021 • 57 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
Migraines
Adrienne has suffered from migraine headaches, with some mind-bending auras, for most of her life. What is a migraine? According to the Mayo Clinic, "migraine can cause severe, throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to lig...
Richard Saunders 0:04:12 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
Migraines
Adrienne has suffered from migraine headaches, with some mind-bending auras, for most of her life. What is a migraine? According to the Mayo Clinic, "migraine can cause severe, throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to lig...
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March 27, 2021 • 65 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:23 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan
Around 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia. Often, ovarian cancer feels like nothing. For that reason, most women are diagnosed when they are Stage III or IV. Siobhan tells us her story with this cancer and her advice for women. (With the help of Mr. Tom Toms the cat.)
Siobhan O'Sullivan is an Australian political scienti...
Richard Saunders 0:03:23 Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan
Around 1,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Australia. Often, ovarian cancer feels like nothing. For that reason, most women are diagnosed when they are Stage III or IV. Siobhan tells us her story with this cancer and her advice for women. (With the help of Mr. Tom Toms the cat.)
Siobhan O'Sullivan is an Australian political scienti...
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March 20, 2021 • 58 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:05:08 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
Not for Prophet
From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Adrienne reports on the ups and downs of checking thousands of mystical predictions covering the years 2000 - 2020.
https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2041%20(2021)%20No%201%20(Cover).pdf 0:24:06 Maynard's Spo...
Richard Saunders 0:05:08 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
Not for Prophet
From the pages of 'The Skeptic' magazine from Australia, Adrienne reports on the ups and downs of checking thousands of mystical predictions covering the years 2000 - 2020.
https://www.skeptics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2041%20(2021)%20No%201%20(Cover).pdf 0:24:06 Maynard's Spo...
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March 13, 2021 • 63 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Maynard's Spooky Action
Dr Brad McKay - Part #1
The return of Maynard. In this, the first of a three part interview with Dr Brad McKay, Maynard finds out about Dr Brad's new book and asks the big questions about Vampire Facials and much more.
Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, intervi...
Richard Saunders 0:03:50 Maynard's Spooky Action
Dr Brad McKay - Part #1
The return of Maynard. In this, the first of a three part interview with Dr Brad McKay, Maynard finds out about Dr Brad's new book and asks the big questions about Vampire Facials and much more.
Dr Brad McKay is an Australian science communicator, TV host and GP at his clinic in Sydney. He is an experienced broadcaster, intervi...
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March 6, 2021 • 42 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:06 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
A new segment for The Skeptic Zone.
Do bad things really happen in 3s?
Adrienne looks at some of the psychology about this "bad things" myth and finds how easy it is for people to come to believe there might be something in it, even something mystical. 0:11:40 Alert on Anti-Vaxxers
Police are making a list of anti-vax protesters...
Richard Saunders 0:03:06 You Can Count on Adrienne with Adrienne Hill
A new segment for The Skeptic Zone.
Do bad things really happen in 3s?
Adrienne looks at some of the psychology about this "bad things" myth and finds how easy it is for people to come to believe there might be something in it, even something mystical. 0:11:40 Alert on Anti-Vaxxers
Police are making a list of anti-vax protesters...
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February 27, 2021 • 59 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:45 Crystal Healing:
The Science and Psychology Behind What Works, What Doesn't, and Why
An interview with Dan Lynch and Julie A. Kirsch
Whether you're new to the practice of crystal healing or have a level of experience with it, chances are you have questions: What works? What doesn't? How and when should I spend my money etc? Forget the magic, the mysticism, and...
Richard Saunders and Maynard 0:04:45 Crystal Healing:
The Science and Psychology Behind What Works, What Doesn't, and Why
An interview with Dan Lynch and Julie A. Kirsch
Whether you're new to the practice of crystal healing or have a level of experience with it, chances are you have questions: What works? What doesn't? How and when should I spend my money etc? Forget the magic, the mysticism, and...
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February 20, 2021 • 61 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:43 Pete Evans Banned (Again!)
Pete Evans' Instagram shut down for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Also his bid for a Senate seat has been widely criticised.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pete-evans-instagram-account-has-been-shut-down-for-spreading-coronavirus-misinformation 0:11:21 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Argument from Gibberis...
Richard Saunders 0:04:43 Pete Evans Banned (Again!)
Pete Evans' Instagram shut down for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Also his bid for a Senate seat has been widely criticised.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pete-evans-instagram-account-has-been-shut-down-for-spreading-coronavirus-misinformation 0:11:21 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Argument from Gibberis...
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February 12, 2021 • 57 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:23 Queensland Chiropractic Bad Advice
Chiropractor forced to take down video on COVID-19, claiming 'nonsense' about 'big bad bug' and other bad advice.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/chiropractor-forced-to-take-down-video-on-coronavirus-claiming-nonsense-about-big-bad-bug/news-story/57390e8ab06cce03ba5eba8e23f7f694 0:09:12 Logical Fallacies wi...
Richard Saunders 0:04:23 Queensland Chiropractic Bad Advice
Chiropractor forced to take down video on COVID-19, claiming 'nonsense' about 'big bad bug' and other bad advice.
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/chiropractor-forced-to-take-down-video-on-coronavirus-claiming-nonsense-about-big-bad-bug/news-story/57390e8ab06cce03ba5eba8e23f7f694 0:09:12 Logical Fallacies wi...
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February 6, 2021 • 58 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:44 Test Your E.S.P.
From 1977 comes this test from 'The Australian Women's Weekly'.
How do you rate your psychic abilities? Have you ever experienced astral travel, levitation, mental telepathy . . . or seen a ghost?
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5845338 0:19:03 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Common Sense...
Richard Saunders 0:03:44 Test Your E.S.P.
From 1977 comes this test from 'The Australian Women's Weekly'.
How do you rate your psychic abilities? Have you ever experienced astral travel, levitation, mental telepathy . . . or seen a ghost?
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5845338 0:19:03 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Appeal to Common Sense...
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January 30, 2021 • 56 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:04:24 The Great Australian Prediction Project
A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for HM Queen Elizabeth II over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the monarch? 0:16:45 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Fallacy of Composition".
This fallacy is about transferring or projecting the properties shared ...
Richard Saunders 0:04:24 The Great Australian Prediction Project
A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for HM Queen Elizabeth II over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the monarch? 0:16:45 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "Fallacy of Composition".
This fallacy is about transferring or projecting the properties shared ...
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January 24, 2021 • 54 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Great Australian Prediction Project
A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for Donald Trump over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the former president? 0:20:13 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Perfect Solution Fallacy".
The perfect solution is an 'all or nothing' way of thinking...
Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Great Australian Prediction Project
A look at some of the 'psychic' predictions for Donald Trump over the past 20 years. What was foreseen or maybe not foreseen for the former president? 0:20:13 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This week Michelle looks at "The Perfect Solution Fallacy".
The perfect solution is an 'all or nothing' way of thinking...
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January 16, 2021 • 55 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water
From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham
https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This ...
Richard Saunders 0:03:20 Society of Homeopaths in Hot Water
From 'The Good Thinking Society'. Professional Standards Authority suspends the Society of Homeopaths (UK). The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) announced it had suspended the accreditation of the Society of Homeopaths (SoH). - Read by Lara Benham
https://goodthinkingsociety.org 0:09:24 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This ...
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January 9, 2021 • 51 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill
Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years.
https://tourette.ca
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home
Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10)
https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI 0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This w...
Richard Saunders 0:05:25 An interview with Adrienne Hill
Adrienne Hill from Canada tells us about Tourette Syndrome and some of the so-called alternative treatments that have been offered over the years.
https://tourette.ca
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/resource/tourette-ocd/home
Monterey Skepticamp Youtube (at 4:53:10)
https://youtu.be/DktlgzdFUTI 0:22:30 Logical Fallacies with Michelle Bijkersma
This w...
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January 1, 2021 • 64 min
0:00:00 Introduction
Richard Saunders 0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy
An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine.
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-dubios-woman-who-all...
Richard Saunders 0:03:36 COVID-19 Conspiracy
An alleged quarantine escapee left her hotel after she denied the existence of coronavirus in a series of bizarre online rants. Self-proclaimed "world changer" Jenny D'ubios sparked a manhunt in Perth when she was found missing from her Perth hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine.
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/jenny-dubios-woman-who-all...
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